Today’s Sermon in a Nutshell: The Slaughter of the Holy Innocents
Christ is Born! Glorify Him!
Today’s gospel reading stands in stark and utter contrast to the joyous ones of Christ’s Nativity, read on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. For amidst all the wonderous rapture of the Messiah’s Birth, this gospel casts a sobering pall over the brilliance of that miraculous, long-anticipated event.
Upon learning from the Magi that a child had been born who would grow up to challenge his kingship, Herod’s anger and paranoia boiled over and caused him to act irrationally: ordering his soldiers to kill every male child two years and under within that region in the attempt to destroy this New-Born King. 14,000 innocent boys were slaughtered, not to mention those mothers and fathers who also perished as they attempted to hide or shield their sons from harm.
Because of its extreme brutality, this is one scriptural aspect of Christ’s Birth you won’t see depicted in your peace-filled Nativity creches and manger scenes – nor is it often acted out during Christmas pageants or shown on Christmas cards.
Although this event is tragic, it reminds us of one important truth: Christ did not come to change the world, but to challenge it; save it. And the world cannot be made better unless man chooses Good over Evil, Christ over Satan; God over mammon.
Since man’s first sin, our world became tainted, corrupt, polluted by evil. This is the cause of all sickness, disease, sorrow, and death – not to mention the workings of hatred, animosity, irreverence, avarice, greed, war, and that general narcissistic intolerance and lack concern for those around us. Yet we have an opportunity through Christ’s Birth, His Life, Death, and Resurrection to ultimately change, mature, and to become alive in Christ through the Sacraments.
Please note, therefore, that your belief and faith in Christ does NOT make this world a better place. Rather, it is through your own actions and commitment to live by this Truth that will bring about any positive changes and salvation of your soul.
XP!
Fr. John
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